QPR V Liverpool – Match Preview

Rangers have been desperately bleak so far with only one win in 19. Things have taken a turn for the better since the arrival of Harry Redknapp and they will hope he can inspire them to victory against an out of sorts Liverpool.

This fixture last season is one Hoops fans recall upon with fond memories as they 2-0 down with 13 minutes to go and everyone thought it was all but over before the R’s managed to win 3-2 in the dying moments of the match.

Such a pivotal run lead them onto to win five of their final 10 games and avoid relegation to the Championship in the process. The recent defeats to Newcastle and West Brom will be seen as a mere blip as R’s fans hope that Redknapp can work his Houdini magic to cause a similar upturn against the Reds.

Rangers are six points from safety though and have been struggling for goals so will hoping that former Liverpool forward Djibril Cisse will be in the mood for the televised clash.

The Reds have showed snippets of what they can do under Brendan Rodgers, but the re-building process at Anfield is all too slow for the supporters liking. The 10th place club have never accumulated fewer points at this stage of the season since the three point rule was introduced in 1981 and that will be of deep concern.

They have suffered to the bruising physical style of Stoke at the Britannia stadium in a 3-1 defeat on Boxing day but remain just 8 points behind the top four.

Rodgers will hope for a heartening away win to finally be able to springboard an attempt to get into the Champions League positions in 2013.

QPR will desperately disappointed to be without defensive lynchpin Ryan Nelsen with a virus. The impressive Julio Cesar misses out too with a back problem. Nedum Onuoha (hamstring) and Captain Park Ji-sung (knee) are also doubtful.

Strikers Andrew Johnson (knee) and Bobby Zamora (hip) are out with long-term injuries.

Liverpool are sweating on whether Luis Suarez can make the trip to West London and it looks unlikely at the moment. Reds boss Rodgers may have to assess his other options with the Uruguayan out. Joe Allen was left out to Suso last time out and you would think the Northern Irishman wouldn’t make the same mistake twice. Raheem Sterling is pushing for a starting berth too after recently signing a long term contract.

QPR have conceded more goals from corners than any other side this season (10), so you suspect Liverpool will be plotting an aerial assault at Loftus Road on Sunday.

Prediction: QPR 0-0 Liverpool

Check the odds ahead of the game at Loftus Road with William Hill here